Psychoacoustic optimization of a robust feedback active noise controller for headphones

Broadband time-invariant feedback (FB) controllers can be designed to cancel unwanted noise components with a single error microphone on each side of a headphone. This paper presents an optimization routine based on the genetic algorithm (GA) approach to set the boundaries for a mixed-sensitivity H & INFIN; controller. The FB controllers are designed with the different target functions, sound pressure level (SPL), perceived loudness and perceived sharpness based on test signals with different spectral characteristics. The optimization for loudness and SPL shows proper results, while the optimization for sharpness can only be recommended to a limited extent.& nbsp;(C) 2021 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).